The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga returns home for two crucial Southern Conference matchups this week starting Wednesday night as Samford (9-15/3-9) comes to town for a 7 p.m., tip. Chattanooga (13-12/5-7) is playing on a Wednesday night for just the third time this season winning the previous two (Eastern Kentucky 68-54/@Georgia Southern 75-63).
It is Hometown Heroes Night at the McKenzie Arena as all military and government (police, fire, etc.) personnel with valid ID will receive a free general admission ticket.
Chattanooga leads the Southern Conference in field goal percentage defense at 40.9 percent and rebounding (38.7/gm). Samford is just behind the Mocs allowing opponents to shoot just 41.5 percent from the floor. The Mocs rank second in assists at 14.6 per game trailing Davidson (15.9 apg).
Senior wing Ty Patterson leads Chattanooga at 15.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Patterson has scored in double digits in 13 of 17 games including his last six. Over the past sixgames, he is averaging 18.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Patterson has made three or more threes in all six contests averaging four made per game.
Junior forward Ridge McKeither is finding his form. In his last six games, he has three double-doubles and is averaging 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest shooting 64.6 percent (31-48) from the field. His prior seven games, McKeither's averages were 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game making just four of 14 (28.6%) from the floor. His 18 rebounds Saturday at The Citadel tied for third most of the Division I era.
Josh Davis leads the Bulldogs averaging 12.5 points per game followed by Trey Montgomery (10.6) and Bryan Friday (10.4). Samford shoots 45.3 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range with three starters (Davis, Montgomery and Andy King) making better than one-third of their three-point attempts. Six of Samford's losses are by five points or less.
Although (prior to last season) the two schools have never been a part of a conference together, they have met 77 times on the basketball court with Chattanooga holding a 45-32 advantage. The Mocs have won the last 10 meetings between the two teams and 16 of the last 17.
WHO: Hometown Heroes. All military and government (police, fire, etc.) will receive a free general admission ticket with valid ID.
WHAT: Samford (9-15/3-9) at Chattanooga (13-12/5-7). The Mocs lead the series 45-32 and have won the last 10 meetings.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. (ET) in the McKenzie Arena (10, 928).
WHERE: Chattanooga games are broadcast on the Mocs Sports Network with Jim Reynolds calling the play-by-play. It can be listened to locally on ESPN 105.1 FM and worldwide on GoMocs.com where fans can watch select games online. All non-televised home events are available via Chattanooga All-Access.
HOW: The Mocs have won five of their last six in the McKenzie Arena.
PROBABLE STARTERS: F –Ty Patterson, Sr. (15.6, 5.1); F – Ridge McKeither, Jr. (9.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg); C – Jeremy Saffore, Jr. (6.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg); G – Keegan Bell, So. (6.9 ppg, 4.5 apg); G – Ricky Taylor, So., (10.9, 3.6).